Chief bemoans spate of fertilizer smuggling

Nana Sabi Kyereme, the Krontihene of Aboabo Number One in the Dormaa Municipality of Brong-Ahafo Region has bemoaned the spate at which fertilizer is being smuggled out of the country into neighbouring Cote D’Ivoire.

He lamented that whilst cocoa farmers in the area were “denied and deprived of fertilizers, bags of fertilizers in articulated trucks were usually seen being transported through Amass and Aboabo Number One and finally diverted to Cote D’Ivoire”.

Nana Kyereme said this when Mr Gordon Asubonteng, the Dormaa Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) and his team of officials paid a working visit to the area, to interact with the people and ascertain the major socio-economic developmental challenges confronting them.

He suggested security escorts for trucks loaded with fertilizers for distribution in the various parts of the country to stem the practice, and ensure that the nation’s cocoa farmers benefited immensely from the government’s fertilizer distribution programme.

The chief proposed an increase in the composition of membership of Unit Committees to enhance democracy and development at the grassroots level and also requested for the establishment of a Police post in the area to enhance security.

Mr. Asubonteng gave the assurance that the Assembly would soon take delivery of about 1000 electric poles to extend electricity to deprived areas in the Municipality.

He appealed to the people to report all officials who extorted money from them before the measurement of their farm lands for the supply of fertilizers.